Quick Glimpse

Posted: Tuesday, December 28, 2004

 Navy Hospitalman John M. Bryan, son of Angela M. and John L. Bryan of Madison, and Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ian J. Perlotte, son of Janice E. and Eddie N. Brown of Crawfordville, and more than 2, 000 Marines and sailors assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently began the process of ensuring security and stability in the central Iraqi province of Northern Babil. Operating from Forward Operating Base Kalsu, the unit's first order of business was to establish rapport with their neighbors and let them know they are prepared to help them in any way they can. The Marines drove throughout their area of responsibility, stopping to offer residents water and to talk with them about their living conditions and how the Marines could help them.

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The Forward Operating Base provides security against insurgents and anti-coalition militia for hundreds of Marines in the unit, which unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment.

The unit also provided assistance from the MEU's Force Reconnaissance platoon to Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics members as well as Iraqi national guardsmen, to help capture a former Baath Party leader and apprehend two men suspected of firing on Marines.

 Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Steven B. Johnson, son of T. K. Johnson of Jefferson and Steven B. Johnson of Kennesaw, and Lance Cpl. Justin A. Floyd, son of Vicki Lynn and Joel Alton Floyd of Comer, recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan, the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, homebased at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

During their time in Afghanistan, Johnson's unit confiscated and destroyed more than 10, 000 pieces of ordinance, explosives and weapons, helped register 58, 000 Afghan citizens to vote, treated more than 2, 000 medical and dental patients and conducted more than a dozen major combat offensives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

 Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric L. Kundla, son of Denise L. Greeson of Statham and Fred L. Kundla of Auburn, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Kody Rupp, whose wife, Melissa, is a daughter of Bennitta and John Flaugher of Winder, recently returned home after a routine, scheduled deployment to the Persian Gulf while assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

The ship returns home after providing vital support to ground troops in the effort to stabilize the newly liberated Iraq. The USS George Washington also participated in Summer Pulse '04, the Navy's first exercise of its new operational construct, the Fleet Readiness Response Plan. Summer Pulse '04 demonstrated the Navy's ability to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters, with other U.S., allied and coalition military forces. It included scheduled deployments, surge operations, joint and international exercises, and other advanced training and port visits.

They participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve. During the operation, Strike Fighter Squadron 131 and Carrier Air Wing Seven, launched F/A-18 Hornets from the ship and conducted a 20-mm strafing run against an enemy position and dropped two 500-pound laser guided bombs on another enemy position in Fallujah, Iraq.

At one point during deployment, the carrier made a port visit to the port of Jebel Ali, Dubai, and members of the unit were able to enjoy shopping, golfing, sandboarding and sightseeing. The service members also were able to participate in a sunset safari, go on camel rides and sample gourmet foods.

Seven carrier strike groups presently are deployed in five theaters with other U.S., allied and coalition military forces demonstrating the ability to provide credible combat power across the globe.

During the three-month exercise, the CSGs of Kitty Hawk, Enterprise, John F. Kennedy, George Washington, John C. Stennis, Harry S. Truman and Ronald Reagan demonstrated the swift presence the U.S. can bring to a fight, and highlight the essential flexibility to adapt to a changing security environment.

Palmer was one of more than 380 crew members assigned to the destroyer USS Spruance, homeported in Mayport, Fla.

 Army Spec. Matthew R. Bolen recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is a son of Judy Bolen of Winder and Steve Bolen Sr. of Hoschton. Bolen is a 1997 graduate of Cedar Shoals High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2001 from the University of Georgia.